Review of Hate Crime Prevention, Response, and Reporting in Seattle

Reported hate crimes and incidents in Seattle have increased 230 percent since 2012, and the city is now focusing on a phased approach to improving accuracy in documenting and responding to future cases.

The city auditor’s office has created a report that analyzes the past five years of data regarding hate crimes and incidents in Seattle. Race was the biggest factor in the 1,126 incidents reported between January 2012 and November 2017 -- POC being the primary victims -- followed by 722 incidents involving LGBTQ community members.

A future Phase Two audit will include analysis of cases, a socio-demographic analysis by the University of Washington and a review of prevention efforts. Seattle University will be studying the affect of hate crimes on indirect victims by convening student focus groups to determine the “ripple effect."